Atherton and Mareeba Hospitals to benefit from release of hidden report

23 August 2012

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg today released a damning report on the state of disrepair at twelve rural and regional hospitals which had sat, un-actioned, in the office of two previous Health Ministers since 2010.

Mr Springborg said Queensland Health had completed a rural and remote infrastructure report in late 2010 which identified 12 hospitals in need of critical maintenance and repair, due to their ageing infrastructure.

“The former Labor Government chose not to act on this damning assessment - instead choosing to allow it to sit in the bowels of the Department gathering dust,” Mr Springborg said.

Mr Springborg said the report had remained hidden as Labor did not want the public to be aware of the massive repair bill.

“Instead, peripheral maintenance activities were allowed to go on in order to paper over the cracks and keep the report out of the public domain.

The report identified the Atherton and Mareeba Hospitals as well as those in Ayr, Biloela, Charleville, Charters Towers, Emerald, Kingaroy, Longreach, Roma, Sarina and Thursday Island as requiring immediate works to remain safe and functional while medium to longer-term planning for their futures were finalised.

“I am announcing today $9.9 million would be spent on roof repairs and fire and electrical works at Atherton Hospital, as well as the preparation of a master plan for the future of the hospital.

Another $2 million would be spent on maintenance work at Mareeba Hospital over the next 12 months,” Mr Springborg said.

“Rather than ignoring the critical infrastructure needs of rural and regional Queenslanders, the LNP Government will ensure these communities benefit from a share in $51.58 million worth of upgrades and improvements being announced today.

“Many of the hospitals identified in this hidden report are buildings that are 60 years or older. They often have inefficient or out-dated layouts preventing the implementation of efficient contemporary models of service delivery,” Mr Springborg said.

“The additional $51.58 million we propose to spend during the next 12 months will ensure these hospitals are brought up to a standard where they can continue to function safely in the short to medium term and deliver on the LNP Government’s commitment to improve and upgrade health services in country areas.

“I am confident that the proposed $51.58 million worth of works will ensure these 12 country hospitals can continue to serve their communities safely and well.

“The Queensland Government is committed to providing rural and remote communities with access to high quality, safe and sustainable health services close to where people live.”

Ends Contact Clare Mildren 0417 255 284